The state of emergency gives state officials more flexibility in managing California water supplies, and efforts are well on their way. The California Department of Public Health has offered assistance to communities that are at risk of severe drinking water shortages. CAL FIRE has hired more than 100 additional firefighters to prepare for potential wildfires brought on by the dry conditions, and fishing has been restricted in waterways that are experiencing low flows due to the drought.

Brown also asked California residents to reduce their water usage by 20%. Save Our Water[7], a public awareness campaign about water conservation, is expanding its efforts to help spread the word.

Today, Brown is meeting[8] with more than a dozen southern California water leaders in Los Angeles to discuss the issues brought on by the drought. In addition to the meeting (which is not open to the public), water-saving devices eligible for rebates will be on display for the media.

California’s struggles with drought serve as a warning to the rest of the U.S. — large portions of which also are facing drought conditions — to begin conserving water now. Using the latest and most efficient technologies can go a long way in saving water. Water-efficient fixtures and toilets are great first steps, but there are also many new water technologies, from softeners to reverse osmosis systems, designed with improved water efficiency in mind. Keeping up with the latest technologies will allow you to help your customers achieve the water quality they desire while saving water to boot.